Starting from August 16, 2017, all ships from international waters will be required to provide a ballast water sample and report when calling at Saudi Aramco ports and terminals, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) informed.

As explained, the aim of this initiative is to ensure all ships comply with Ballast Water Management Convention requirements, which has been ratified by Saudi Arabia and will become internationally enforced on September 8, 2017.

Ships arriving from international waters outside of ROPME or PERSGA sea areas should provide a printed version of their ballast water sample report to Saudi Aramco Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

Indicative sampling must be conducted on board and upon arrival at any Saudi Aramco port or terminal or during de-ballasting discharge following BW G2 guidelines, according to ISS.

According to the World Maritime News report, the report should be submitted with a completed version of the latest Saudi Aramco Ballast Water Sampling Form.